Observation apparatus



F. R. SW'AR TWOUT.

OBSERVATION APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 19, 1918.

"1,333,192. Patented Mar. 9,1920.

an uewf'oz UNITED sr T s PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK n. SWARTVVOUT, or so'Ans'DnLE, NEW YORK.

OBSERVATION APPARATUS.

T0 (ZZZ whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, FRANK R. SWART- WOUT, a citizen of the United Statesof spotting the location of hitof a shot relative to a target,particularly for use in aerialobservation and to enable speedv re- 7porting of the deviation ofthe hit from the target to correct the rangeof fire;

A further object of the invention to. enable plottmgona map or orother-refers ence chart the locations of trenches, batteries, and otherenemyobjeots as Wfell as v topographical objectsand the like. I

Generally described, :my invention cont prises a movable sight element,and a mov-.

able reference element and means for efffee-ting movement of one elementrelative to the other in Substantially parallel planes. Instrumentsembodying my invention are preferably provided with scale markings onrelatively movable parts for;ascertaining' the distance of the referenceelement "from a fixed or other reference plane and for determining theh0r1zontal elevation. of the sight element 'from the plane of the reference element. A convenient form of'refen e'nce elementcomprises aseries'ofl concen:

tric Wire spiders, and a series of radial 3 element corresponding to thelo ation of the hit of. theshot. which point might be briefly: mailedthe reference point. ln such use, "the sighting element or referenceelement,

sniclers,whereby thef ace of the vresnlting dial will be divided into apredetermined number of sectors and sub-divisions thereof,

7 capable of. beingdesignatedby code characters for instantidentificatlon.

one form. of use for aerial observation, the observerslghtlng throughthc s ghting element, moves the same or the reference 1 i element, orboth, togslght center or J OllQ'lll of the reference element in ahnementwith the target and at the instantof alinement ascertainsi the po nt onthe reference 7 Specification of Letters Patent." 7 i Application filedMarch 19, 1918. Serial re-222,444.

atented or both, are moved zontal planes.

a in substantially hori- Mathematically considered, the observa tion ofthe distance and direction of a hit from the target-,. in absolutevalues'are determ ned, for a given elevatlon'of the observer from thevert cal and horizontaldls- Mar. 9, 1920'.

' tances between the sighting element and the I reference point in thereference at the instant of observation. I By reason of the parallelplane relation of the sighting element, reference element.

and, for exampletthe surface of the earth or sea, the computation oftheldisorepancy a problem of triangulation or of conic sections;- andthe determination in absolute value-is readable directly from the'scaleindications given by the instrument, for'each observation of'the desiredreference point,

ln own, elevation of the observer. In the element of a hit-from a targetresolves itself into I I the respective parts ofthe reference elementare visually projected onthe. earths surface, afl'ording an imaginary orvisual enlarged. reproduction of the constituent parts, of the referenceelements, Accordinglytupon calibrating the distances-radially andarcuallv on the radii and are Wires of a reference elemen'nas aforesaid,the distancein absolute value ofthe location'of. a hitifrom the targetcan be also computed,

byallowance 'solely gof the elevation of the observer above the, surfaceof the earth or sea and the veiticalel evation ofthe .sight'- inc;element above the reference element. I v The altitude ofsthe observeratthe instant of observation Will be given by any suitable altitudeindicating ormeasuring instrument.

increased in the case of observation'from an aeroplane flying on asubstantially even keelgx. 0., parallel to the earths surface-- .lheaccuracy of'determination is favorably i' In such cases Where the targetdoes not 1 lie substantiallvon the surface-of the earth as whensltuatedin a depression or ona" hill or the like, suitable correction will beplane,

v made for the deviation fromflthe assumed j The invention-1 inavvcomprise"a lead 1 or micrometer screw shaft, a-ndiymeans formountingthe same to positioned at all" times infa vertical 'p1ane,' asbva suitable gyroscopic mounting controlling means. The. device is capableof readlng the ;spotting of a shot when the screw shaft is not in avertical plane provided the angle of the position of the screw shaft tothe vertical at the instant of observation is determinable,as bymounting the screw shaft in fixed relation to a portionofthe fuselageand correcting by the reading of an a diagrammatic elevationofa'modification employing a telescope.

v The form of the invention set forth herein isdirected particularly toobservation appa-- ratus for use in aerial work, and is adapted forlocating, i. 0., spotting the point of lllt, of a shot relatively to thetarget;and also for plotting the environment of enemy objects of a givenlocality.

Considering the point of sighting as the apex of 'an imaginarycone-having its axis passing'thro'ugh said apex and the target, the baseof the cone will. be coincident wlth the'surface of the earth, assumingthe latter tolbe a plane. "By the provision of a refer-' ence element,preferably a desired number of radially and concentrically arranged 7thin wires, disposed substantially a common plane,'up on movingsaidreference element in said common plane duringthe period of sighting ,tokeep the center of the reference element in alinement with thetargetpthe locationof the-hit ofthe'shot on the earths surfacerelatively .tothe target can be determined by reference to thecorresponding point in the common. plane of the reference element. Forsimplicity and speed in reading, the radial elements may be givenpredetermined code ser al designations and the concentric wirespredetermined, code serial a p of the bracket-ll asfrom the fuselage ordesignations different character, thus afi'ordlng an abbreviateddesignation for the particular se ment and the particular fractionalregion thereof in which the point in the reference element correspondingto the location of the hitof the shot is located The point j'inthereference element onables the determination ofthe distance from a fixedor computable plane whereupon dctermining the distance of the sightelement from'said fixed or computable plane, the absolute distancebetween thepoint ofhitlof the shot from the targetl is readily.determined for the specific elevation of the aeroplane above theearths.surfaceat'theinstant ofiobservation,

Refinements in the desired Quantity,

correcting the curvature of the earths sur-" 7 ment, mounting meanstherefor permitting the same to be moved in substantially a plane, areference element, means for moving said reference element in the commonplane of its coordinated spaced elements of wire or other relativelythinmaterial, preferably comprising lazy tongs for effecting rapidadjustment of the reference element in itsconnnon plane, a lead screwfor moving said reference elements in 'a'plane substantiallyperpendicular to. the said common plane and calibrated scale markingsfor determining the distance of the center'ofjthe reference element fromthe lead screw, the

distanceof vthe plane of the reference clev inent from the plane ofmoven'lent of the slght element and such othermarlnngs for Checlnng' andrechecklng therelative positions of the sight element and the referenceelement for ascertaining the desired data.

.In' the specific embodiment shown in the fdrawings, the sight element'lis supported on the ring 2 and-arranged to be movable w "substantiallyin a plane, as by means of the lazy tongsB pivotally supported on thering 2 by means ofthe pivot'stud 4L. The set screw 5jis provided on thepivot stud 4 to opening within the ball 6, conically cut away 8. Theball is mounted oppositely at l, I wlthlnthe socket opening in the plate9 and may be providedwith these't'screw 10 passing through an opening111 the plate 9 for securing the sig positlong i v V l I l vThe ring2 issuitably supported byineans t element at the desired a shaft of agyroscope-control device, for maintalnlng said ring 2cont1nuously in asubstantially horizontal plane.

position the sightelement l at'any desired The'reference element 12 isshown in the forinfof a, spider comprising the radial wiresfl3 andtheconcentric, circular Wires 14." The wires 13,1 l are ofrelatively verythin material arranged to be disposed in substantlally common plane. r a

' 'Thejon or center of the reference dial 12' is indicateda't 16.

Inthe usefor observation, means are providedfor moving saidfreferencedial 12 in its common plane and substantially parallel to th'elplane ofmovement of said sighting element '1. For such purpose, said refela encedial 12 is carried by,-tl1e nut 17 mounted on the lead 18 and; supportedby said nut 17 by means of one or more lazy tongs. 1.9.

The lazy tongs areshoWn as the means of support for the purpose of rapidpositioning of-the.- reference dial 12 at the desiredpoint in its planeof movement, and a pair ofsuch tongs 19 are. employed to insure rigidityof mounting and minimizing errors due: to wear of parts.- m

j The lead screw 18 is supported within the collar 20 carried bythe'ring 21 mounted on the ring 2 for rotative' positioning as by meansof the circular tongue 22 extending within the annular groove 23; Thelead screw 18 is rotated by means of the handle 24:, mounted atone endof the screw 18 wlthin convenient reach of the observer when sightingthrough the sight. element i'lhe'rods 25 fixed at theirupper ends to.the collar 20 project at theirfree ends through suitable openingswithin. the nut 17 and serve to. prevent the nut 17 from rotating whenthe screw 18 is rotated. [.Means are provided for operating thetongs 19to 7 position the reference element 12 in the desired location of itsplane .of movement. Such "operating. means, may comprise the operatingshaft 26 freely mounted at one end in a recess inthe nut 17 and freelymounted at its other end within a recess in thebearing block 27,supported by the bracket 28 fixed to the nut 17. Said operatingxshaft 26is'threaded intermediate its ends, the' threads of which meshw-ith theconical cutout worm gear 29. mounted on the operating shaft 30'by meansof the key 31; permitting movement of said worm gear i 29 longitudinallyalong the operating shaft 30." The lower end of shaft 30 .islooselypositioned within a recess in the bracket28 and the upper end oftheshaft 30 is freely, held within: the recessed lug '32 fixed to thecollar'20. The shaft 30 is operated by means of the knurledhead. 33,positioned adjacent thesight element 1.

The movable tongs 19 of the reference element 12 are controlled by thenut 27 in threaded relation with the threaded shaft 26, and. connectedwith thetongs 19 as by means of toggle links.

. Thus, upon rotating the handle to vary the vertical position of thenut 17, and therewith "the reference. element -12,' the bracket 28 willbe moved-accordingly and corresponding movement imputed to the operatingshaft 26 and nut 2%,"Wl11l6 the.

. worm gear'29-will be held. in mesh with'the operatingishaft 26 andslide longitudinally of thecontrol shaft 30. Also, upon rotation p ofthe head 33, the worm 29 will be rotated to effect rotation ofthe shaft26, to thereby move the referenceeliement: 12, eithertoward or away fromthe screwshaft18; de-

termined b the "direction, of rotation, but

lenses within the. plane: determined by the plane of the referenceelement 12.

. -The'purpose ofmounting the lead screw 18 on the'ring 21 is merelyfor, effecting rapid positioning of the reference element may be oftherectangular system,,in lieuof The elements of the reference elementthe polar system described above, or of a combination of the twosystems.

- The direction ofthe hit from. the target is-read from the observation"ofthe refer- OHCQ- POlIlbj 01113116 reference element corre'ctedbythedirection of the flight of the aeroplane atztlieinstant ofobservation, as given by acomp'ass.

The idlelazy tongs 3a serve to increase the reference element. a scalemarkings are applied to. the several therigidity of the supporting,tongs 19 of parts of the apparatus for determining the extent ofrelative displacement in the re.-

spective planes. The extent. of displacement of the nut 17 along thelead screw 18 can be read from markings applied longitudinally offthelead. screw 18,, or by a revolution counter geared thereto for the wholenu1n- 'ber' of turns and fractionalgturn readings from markings appliedto the upper edge of collar 20. Scale marks'are similarly ap 7 plied tothe contiguous edgesof ring 2 and ring21. 1

A quadrant 35 bearing scale markings 36 is preferably fixed to the studst to. indicate theposition of the sight element 1 in its planeofmovement. The markings 37 airrangedconcentric with, the scalemarkingsw 36 may be: employed todesignatea desired position fora stop oran electrical contact adapted to lndicate when the position of servercorresponding to a determined positionxof the reference element to givea signal or automatically release a bomb mat- "the proper point in theair, commensurate with the altitude and direction of fiightof theaeroplane, to .traverse the trajectory passing througlrthe targetdesiredto be hit.

The telescope arrangement indicated in Fig; .6 embodies the principleof'the aforesaid forms. of my invention; The-eye-piece 40f isv arrangedat one'end of the'telescope .110 the sight elementl ,is attained by theobvtuloe, in properrelation to the reference dial i 1 1; as aforesaid;The objective lens or 43, are of suitable construction andarrangementnto effect, the visual images i 3' of the' target andlocation of the hit within the-contour of the reference dial41'. r 7

Other uses of the observation apparatus embodying my. invention applytormap-maka known distance from the observer.

The apparatus-may also be employed for determining the height of anobject by 0bserving at two different points at a known distance fromeach other. Similar use of the'devi'ce can be applied for thedetermination of an unknown quantity, upon determination of thereference data of the reference point and the altitude of observation.

Whereas I have described my invention by reference to specific formsthereof, it will be understood that many changes maybe made withoutdeparting from the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

' I claim; f 1

1. Observation apparatus "comprising a sight element, a referenceelement coactlng therewith, said'reference element extending"transversely to and intersecting the axis of sightof said sightelement,and means for bodily moving oneof said elements relatively to the otherin'a plane parallel to a plane determined by said reference element. 2.Observation apparatus, comprising a sight element means for mountingsaidsight element coacting with said sight element to move in a plane, areference element, said reference element extending transverselytoandintersecting the aXisof sight of said sight element, and means formounting said reference element to bodily move in a plane 7 parallel tosaid first named plane. r r

8: Observation apparatus, comprisinga sight element, 'a referenceelement coactinp; therewith, means for bodily displacing one of saidelements relatively to the other in a predetermined plane and means forbodily displacingone of said elements relativelyto the other inaplane'transverse to said firstnamed plane. V V 4-. Observationapparatus, comprising a sight element, a reference element coactingtherewith; means for displacing one of said elements, relatively totheother in a prdetermineclplane and means for bodily displacing one ofsaid elements relatively-to the other in a plane perpendicularto'saidifirst' named plane. a r1 V 5. Observation apparatus, comprisinga sight element, a reference element coasting therewith comprisingcoordinated parts lye ingsubstantially in a common-plane, said referenceelement extending transversely to r and intersecting the axis of sightofsaid sight element, and means for bodily movin-g' said referenceelement substantially in said plane.

6.'Observat1on apparatus, compr slng a sight element, means formovingsaid sight 7 element, a reference element coacting with sa1ds1g'ht element comprising spaced coordmate wlres lylng substantially ina com- 'monplanerand means for "bodily Jmoving said reference'elementsubstantially in said Vplane. a

,. a v v .Observat1on app-a 'atus, comprising a V sight element, meansformoving said sight element substantially in-a plane; a reference.

elementxcoacting with said sight *elehient comprising intersecting setsof wires lying substantially in a common plane and means for bodilymoving said reference e. substantially in'said plane."

8. Observation apparatus, comprising-a sight element, 'a' referenceelement coacting len ent withsaid sight element comprising coiirdi--.natedintersecting sets ofspaced parts of relatively thin material andlying substantially in a common plane and "means for] bodily movm'g saidsight element in a plane substantially parallel'to said common plane.

sets of spaced elements ofrelatively thin ma terial lying substantiallyin a'common plane and means for bodily moving said reference elementsubstantially 'lIL sald plane;

10i Observation apparatus, comprising a' sight element, a'refere'nceelement coacting therewith comprising coordinated spaced parts"ofrelatively thin material lying substantially 111- a common plane,-means for.

i'noving said reference element substantially. ]I1 sald common plane andmeans-forinovmg said sight element in a plan'e'substantially parallelto'-sa1d common plane. a;

i 11. Observation apparatus, comprisinga sightelement, a referenceelement coacting with said sight elementcomprising a plurality ofintersecting cocrdinated' "sets-of spacedelements of relatively thinmaterial lying substantially in a common plane, means forbodilymoving'said reference element in said common plane and means for bodilymoving said reference element in a plane substantially perpendicular tosaid common a plane. V a 12. Observat1on'a aratus com rlsm .a-

sight element, areference'element coacting therewith comprisingcoordinated spaced.

parts'of relatively thin material lying substantially in-a commonplane,"means "for moving" said reference element substantially insaidrommon plane, means for moving saidsight element in a planesubstantially parallel to said common plane and means for moving: saidreferenceelenient in a plane substantiallyplane.

perpendicular to said common 13. Observation apparatus, comprising asight element, a reference element coacting therewith having apluralityof elements disposed in a common plane, said reference elementextending in a plane substantially nor I mal to and intersected by theaxis of sight of said sight element, means for moving one of saidelements in any desired plane parallel to said common plane and scalemarkmg's disposed on said elementsfor determiningthe extent ofdisplacement of one of said elements relative.v to the other.

14. Observation apparatus, comprising a sight element, a referenceelement coacting with said sight element, supporting means for saidreference element, said reference element extending transversely to andintersected by the axis of sight of said sight element, said supporting,means being constructed to be disposed Without the line of sightthrough said sight element and means carried by said supporting elementfor bodily moving said reference element relatively" to said sightelement. 7

l5. Observation apparatus, comprisinga sight element, a referenceelement coacting with said sight element, supporting means for saidreference element, said'reference moving at \villeither of said elementsrelatively to the other and graduated means for indicating the extentof" movement of said moving. means. V o

17. Observation apparatus, comprising a sight element, a referenceelement co-acting therewith, said reference element extendingtransversely to and intersecting the axis of sight of said sightelement,means for bodily moving'atvvill either of said elements rela-- tive tothe other in any plane parallel to a predetermined plane andgnaduatedmeans for indicating the extent of movement of I said moving means. 1 V

18. Observation apparatus, comprislng a sight element, a referenceelement co-acting therewith, said reference clement extendingtransversely to and intersecting the axis of sight .of said'sightelement, means for bodily moving'at will either of said elementsrelative to the other in a plane parallel to a predeterminedplane.andtransversely to said predetermined plane and graduated means forindicating the correlative extents of movements ofsaid moving means.

19. Observation apparatus, comprisinga sight element, a referenceelement co-acting therewith, said reference element extendingtransversely. to and intersecting the axis of sight of said: sightelement, means for bodily moving either of said elements relatively tothe other in a plane parallel to a. redetermlned plane and 111 aplaneperpen icular to means for indicating the correlative extents ofmovements of said moving means.

In testimony whereof I have signed this I specification this 16th dayofMarch, 1918. f

.said predetermined, plane and graduated FRANK R. sWART oUT.

